Council supports anti-TABOR resolution

Retaining money for education, transportation and health is something Craig City Councilors said they would support.

Councilors decided to do that at their Tuesday night meeting by preparing a resolution in support of Referendum C and D -- two ballot items dubbed the Colorado Economic Rec--overy Act that will come before voters in November.

Referendum C is a de-brucing measure that asks voters to temporarily override the Taxpayers Bill of Rights, or TABOR, a measure that establishes a low limit for state expenditure growth and gives taxpayers back state surpluses.

If Referendum C gains voter approval, Referendum D will allow the state to bond as much as $2.07 billion to repair highways, provide infrastructure for schools and help pay off retirement funds for fire and police employees.

"This is something I think is important to the state of Colorado," City Manager Jim Ferree told councilors. "We obviously have interest in Referendum C and D. I think this would certainly benefit the town of Craig."

Ferree said the passage of the proposals might help jumpstart transportation issues in Craig. Councilor Terry Carwile said Colorado Northwestern Community College already has suffered under conditions of TABOR.

"I don't know how they'll continue to fund higher education if this doesn't pass," he said.

Mayor Don Jones pointed out that Colorado Highway 13 was supposed to be redone this year. However, that project has been put on hold until at least 2010 because of the state's lack of funding from TABOR, he said.

Councilors Tim Gilchrist and Ken Nielson were not present for the meeting, but had excused absences.